What to do while waiting for the Nursing program to start?

il say work and save as much money as you can(yes i should take my own advice) lol

In addition to finishing up my last 2 prereqs, starting next week I'll be working as a CNA in the hospital float pool. I figure it's good experience to get before nursing clinicals - not only will I get to know the people at the hospital/where everything is/etc, I'll get comfortable with providing direct patient care before I start doing any of the nerve-wrecking stuff.

Now I just need that acceptance letter.

I highly recommend getting your CNA license which will help you be more exposed to patient care. I don't have a CNA but it would have been very beneficial in the beginning. For my program, the first couple of weeks were CNA stuff so it was easy for most students cuz they had their training unlike me. Plus, i had a difficult time with my patient care cuz I wasn't use to the setting at the beginning. If you want to get a job right after you graduate, go and work as a CNA in unit and hospital you would like to work in. The more exposure you have with the staff, then the higher the chances of getting an interview than a new grad who doesn't know anyone. Sometimes it comes down to networking. Especially in the high saturated/metro areas. By the way, try to review some of your A&P, Micro, Chem, and Human development materials. There's my 2 cent good luck this fall!

-RR2325

Work! Become a CNA! I'm waiting to take my state test and I hope to work before I start in the fall. That is great experience!

Yep, work or volunteer somewhere. Maybe brush up on your prereqs. I know I'll be doing this. My school doesn't require us to be a CNA for acceptance but if that interests you, you can look into that. There will be many things I'll need to do over the course of this year in preparation for nursing school in the Fall. I'll need to get my yearly physical from my physician and immunizations checked off. I'll need to attend a CPR and first aid class over the summer. I'll need to attend orientation over the summer too, plus get books, supplies and whatever else I need. I do know, that after I'm finished with my first semester of nursing school I'll be able to work at my hospital as a nurse tech, so I'm looking forward to that. Also, don't forget to RELAX and have fun too. :)

I'm working as a CNA right now. For money and experience.

I still think about where I'm going to get accepted to all the time though! I have to take it day by day.

Working as a CNA will help you get you used to patients(seeing them naked and such.lol). Also, you'll know how to talk to other healthcare professionals, patients, their families. It's really a customer service job plus other things.

If you can't find work in the hospital as a CNA(because the hospital jobs are very hard to get in metro areas), then work in a nursing home for the experience or become a sitter in a hospital. At least that way you are observing patient care.

CNA!! I wish I could do it but I have to finish my first degree! I actually graduate two weeks before my nursing program starts! I'm Super EXCITED THO!